Chapter 7

                                    

                                          
Hello again! Thank you all for the love! I hope you guys enjoy this one! I love the NS males, such fun to play with! ;) Enjoy the goodness!
                          
Aria stared up at the big building that Ascension had stopped the cart in front of and got out to stand on the sidewalk. It was a behemoth of brick and glass about three stories tall and didn't look like the most welcoming place it the world. "So this is where you live?"
                          
Ascension circled the vehicle and came to her side, nodding. "Yes, this is the male dorm. Homeland was originally designed to be a military base so a lot of the buildings have been changed to serve our uses. Come on." He led the way up the walk way and swiped a security card before holding the door open for her.
                          
Aria smiled at him and was about to walk inside when he caught her arm in a soft grip. She looked down at his large hand circling her bicep and stared back up at him, startled.
                          
"I just want to warn you there will be other males in here and they may be..." He glanced inside cautiously as if making sure they were not heard before finishing. "Interested in you. I will stay very close so you don't have to worry."
                          
Aria lowered her voice and smiled. "I'm not worried. I've watched the documentaries and know New Species are not violent or anything."
                          
Ascension's face blanked and he straightened before giving her an abrupt nod. "Okay, just stay close to me." He gestured her forward and then led her through the halls.
                          
Aria stared around in amazement as she followed a step behind her big New Species host. The hallway opened up to a large common room lined with windows. On one side was an open concept kitchen with an island and a breakfast bar. On the other, a big screen TV was mounted on the wall and surrounded by large plush sofas and chairs.
                          
As the two of them entered five sets of eyes turned to stare at them intensely.
                          
Aria's steps stuttered and she shied into Ascension's side. Looking around she met their audience's eyes and spoke softly. "Um...hello."
                          
"Hello female!" One gorgeous male grinned at her, coming around the counter with a can of orange soda in his hand. "Who is this, Ascension?"
                          
"Her name is Aria and she is none of your business, Flirt." Ascension replied harshly, a growl edging into his voice.
                          
Sword and Query snickered at that from their place on the sofa as Jinx and Snow got up to come over.
                          
Jinx sniffed loudly as he leaned slightly toward her. "She smells like you and Field. Whose is she?" He questioned Ascension.
                          
Ascension snaked an arm around her shoulders and hauled her into his side. "She is here with me."
                          
"That doesn't really answer the question." Jinx pointed out.
                          
"Hello female. I'm glad to see you're feeling better." Snow said to her, the big male with the white blond hair towering above her. "You had us worried when you ran in front of the SUV."
                          
"Uh, yeah, I'm sorry I worried you all." Aria said softly, feeling kind of overwhelmed. These guys were not only tall but every one of them was broad and muscled. She was starting to feel like she was trapped in one of those hunks calendars and she really wasn't sure how much more attention she could take. To make matters worse, Ascension's body heat seeped into her side and the weight of his arm around her was both stabilizing and exciting.
                          
"I am taking her to my room." Ascension said, trying to edge her away from the other males.
                          
Snow's eyes narrowed at Ascension. "Are you sure that is a good idea? She was injured not long ago and might not be well enough for sex."
                          
Ascension growled and the tension in the room ratcheted up. "I am not taking her there to share sex. She needs to eat."
                          
"She can eat here!" Flirt offered, flashing her a charming smile. "I am a very good cook."
                          
Aria felt the heat rise in her cheeks and looked down at her sandals. "Uh, thanks for the offer..."
                          
"I will feed her." Ascension reiterated, chest vibrating with a growl.
                          
"Getting a little possessive, Ascension?" Query teased, chuckling.
                          
Ascension just growled louder.
                          
"Go feed her." Snow sighed, giving in, but not before he looked down at Aria and added. "We'll be down here if you need us."
                          
Ascension tightened his hold on her and turned her toward the elevator, leaving the other males talking excitedly behind them. His hold only loosened once they elevator doors closed behind them. Silence filled the small space.
                          
"I apologize for that. We don't get a lot of human females here." Ascension finally breathed out.
                          
"That's fine." Aria smiled up at him. "Are all you guys so big? I'm starting to feel like a midget."
                          
"Yes. Mercile made us strong enough to withstand the testing they put us through." Ascension answered bluntly. The elevator stopped and they stepped out into a hall. He led her four doors to the right and swiped his security card again before pushing open the door. "This is my apartment."
                          
Aria stepped inside and looked around curiously, dying to see what his space was like.
                          
A small galley kitchen was off to the left with a half wall that divided it from the living room which was a smattering of leather sofas, metal and glass coffee tables and book shelves filled to overflowing. As she stepped farther in, she caught sight of his bedroom through a door, eyeing a huge bed covered in navy sheets that were still rumpled from being slept in.
                          
Ascension shut the door and walked into the kitchen. "What do you feel like?"
                          
Aria's head whipped around, staring at his broad back as he looked through the fridge. She had just been thinking of how much she'd like to curl up in that big bed and how she wanted him to join her and his question was just too well timed. "Uh... a sandwich or something would be great."
                          
"I have black forest ham, turkey and cheese. Or I can make peanut butter and jam if you'd prefer?" Ascension asked, pulling things out onto the counter.
                          
Aria smiled and walked over to stand at the end of the counter by him. Her stomach rumbled as she caught sight of the food and she giggled. "Ham and cheese would be awesome. Thank you so much!"
                          
Ascension's lips twitched at her stomach's demands for food. "My pleasure."
                          
Aria grinned up that big New Species male and wanted to hug him. Every time he smiled her heart skipped a beat and she had a desire to see him smile more and really wanted to be the cause of it. Now if she could just get him to laugh she might just pass out from the bliss.